SNP conference to hear call for more North Sea support

By a staff reporter

Westminster is facing calls for more support to be given to the North Sea oil and gas industry.

In the Budget, Chancellor Philip Hammond said a group of experts would be put together to discuss further tax incentives.

At the SNP Spring Conference in Aberdeen on Friday, Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin will urge more action from the UK Government.

Ms Martin will tell delegates that since the loss of more than 120,000 jobs during the past two years, the oil and gas industry is in “serious danger” of being forced to abandon exploration plans which will keep the sector “viable” when the oil price evens out.

She's expected to warn that if action is not taken now by Westminster, the whole of Scotland will suffer.

Scots Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse will second a motion calling for more support for the sector.